Need tactical/practical shooting advice

[locosway]

I did a tactical shoot today and I did pretty poor on most of the stages. Sometimes I didn't do too bad, but more times than not I just couldn't hit the targets.

What can I do to help improve this besides going to the range? When I go to a normal range I do fine on paper targets. I can put every shot where I want, but the steel targets were harder and even frustrating.

I can't do tactical training at a normal range, and I haven't been able to find a place where I can go say once a week to practice either. Any advice?

[M47_Dragon]

People will swear up and down that the shooting sports like IDPA and IPSC are NOT training, yet I can almost guarantee that either one of these sports will improve your ability to move/shoot/use cover, etc.

Depending on where you are in Anaheim, Prado Olympic Shooting Park is probably about a 20 minute drive. They do IDPA matches every 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month.

http://www.prado-idpa.com/

[Greg-Dawg]

I can't do tactical training at a normal range, and I haven't been able to find a place where I can go say once a week to practice either. Any advice?

If you sign up for a Intermediate Handgun course with a supervised instructor, I'm sure you can do all the double/triple taps, Mozambique, El Presidente, etc. techniques all day.

[locosway]

If you sign up for a Intermediate Handgun course with a supervised instructor, I'm sure you can do all the double/triple taps, Mozambique, El Presidente, etc. techniques all day.

I just want more time at the range, not really wanting to pay someone.

[locosway]

People will swear up and down that the shooting sports like IDPA and IPSC are NOT training, yet I can almost guarantee that either one of these sports will improve your ability to move/shoot/use cover, etc.

Depending on where you are in Anaheim, Prado Olympic Shooting Park is probably about a 20 minute drive. They do IDPA matches every 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month.

http://www.prado-idpa.com/

Thanks for the info...

I also think it will help with moving and shooting and using cover. Just from what I did today I feel that I learned a lot.

[bruceflinch]

I shot IPSC for 8 years before trying IDPA. My first outing @ IDPA really sucked!

Shooting it once or twice a month will help your skills a bunch. Got to walk, before you can run!

A common mistake of Newcomers is they forget to use the front sight. You are so wrapped up in everything else that is new, you forget the basics.

Be a good sportsman, Treat people they way you want to be treated & soon you'll get all the free coaching you can use. Hang in there!

[Lucky Scott]

IDPA?
Okay, what exactly goes on during the classes? I have been going to the range and shooting paper on a regular basics, but would like to do something more.

Can someone go into a little detail?
Should I go watch first or what. I live close by and would like to know more.

[Rivers]

I shot for a couple decades. Then I took a 3-day workshop by Bruce Gray (www.grayguns.com). That was when I began actually shooting instead of throwing lead downrange. Instead of simply practicing the wrong habits and techniques, I learned so many ways to improve that my shooting performance went WAY up.

I understand that the OP doesn't want to pay someone else to elevate his skills. Only a few years ago, I shared that same thought. And today, after two of Bruce's workshops, I will happily admit that I was wrong. It is far more cost-effective to learn quickly and properly than it is to repeat the same (or even new) mistakes thousands of times. Bad habits need to be unlearned.

Afterthought: After hearing me discuss the workshops and then seeing my results on the range, even my CCW instructor (renewal time) signed up for Bruce's upcoming workshop in SD!

[bruceflinch]

IDPA?
Okay, what exactly goes on during the classes? I have been going to the range and shooting paper on a regular basics, but would like to do something more.

Can someone go into a little detail?
Should I go watch first or what. I live close by and would like to know more.

https://www.idpa.com

Close by where?

[Lucky Scott]

Close by the Prado range in Corona california.

[Lucky Scott]

Added location to my signature.
should have done that before.

[HCz]

I understand that the OP doesn't want to pay someone else to elevate his skills. Only a few years ago, I shared that same thought. And today, after two of Bruce's workshops, I will happily admit that I was wrong. It is far more cost-effective to learn quickly and properly than it is to repeat the same (or even new) mistakes thousands of times. Bad habits need to be unlearned.

+1 This is the best way to go. You can learn it from someone who knows what you can improve, and it will be a lot faster than what you can do on your own.

[locosway]

Maybe when I'm working again I'll consider a class. For the time being I'd rather get used to shooting again and learn my handgun.

[SuperSet]

locosway, which shoot was this? Was this the IDPA match or an IPSC match?

I'm not sure if this is still happening but Dave Cutts at Prado IPSC used to hold a 1 day beginner class to introduce new shooters into the sport. Jojo did the same at Norco. Either of these would be your best and economical bet.

[locosway]

I did this at the Corona Sportsmen's Club, which is a private range. It wasn't a sanctioned body that held the event, just the club.